Referrals from Local Authorities
Karuna Care London will primarily receive referrals through local authority adult social care teams. In most cases, the process will begin when a social worker or care manager has completed a Care Act needs assessment and identified that the individual may benefit from supported living or residential care of the type we provide.
The social worker will then contact us, usually by telephone or secure email, to discuss a potential placement. They will share relevant documents such as the assessment, support plan, risk assessments, medical information and any recent reports. We will acknowledge every referral promptly and begin an initial review to consider whether our service is likely to be an appropriate option.
If, on paper, the referral appears suitable, we will arrange a more detailed pre‑admission assessment. This may involve meeting the person in their current setting, speaking with family or existing carers (with consent), and clarifying any areas of risk or complexity. The purpose is to ensure that any eventual placement is safe, realistic and in the person’s best interests.
Eligibility and Suitability
We will accept referrals only for adults whose assessed needs fall within the scope of the service we are registered and equipped to provide. In practice, this means:
- Adults aged 18 and over
- With care and support needs that require supported living with personal care or residential personal care
- Who have been deemed eligible for local authority support under the Care Act
- Whose physical, emotional and social needs can be safely managed by our staff, environment and care model
During the referral review we will look carefully at the person’s health conditions, mobility, communication needs, behaviour, support requirements at night and any known risks. Our responsibility is to be honest about what we can and cannot manage. If an individual’s needs are too complex, require on‑site nursing, involve risk levels outside our remit or do not match our service user group, we will explain this to the referring professional and, where possible, suggest that they consider alternative services.
A placement will only proceed where both the local authority and Karuna Care London are satisfied that we can meet the person’s needs safely and appropriately.
Local authority funding approvals
For local authority funded placements, a key stage is the internal funding approval process. Councils may use panel meetings, budget approvals or other authorisation routes before agreeing a placement.
Karuna Care London will cooperate fully with this process. We will provide clear information about:
- The type of service we offer
- Our staffing model and facilities
- Fee levels and what they include
- Our regulatory status and any conditions attached to registration once granted
While the council considers the funding request, we will remain in contact with the social worker or placement officer, answering questions and refining the proposed support plan where needed. Our intention is to be transparent about costs and terms so that commissioners can make informed decisions without unnecessary delay.
Once funding has been formally approved, we will agree a provisional start date with the local authority and move on to detailed planning for admission.
From agreement to admission
After funding and suitability are confirmed, we will work with the local authority, the individual and, where appropriate, their family or representative to plan the move into Karuna Care London. This will usually include:
- Finalising the care and support plan and risk assessments
- Agreeing any equipment or adaptations needed in advance
- Clarifying medication arrangements, GP registration and transport
- Providing written information about the home, daily routines, and what to bring on the day of admission
Where possible, we will encourage one or more introductory visits before the move, so that the person can see the environment, meet key staff and raise questions. For urgent or hospital discharge placements, we will still apply the same principles, but compress the timetable as far as is safely possible.
Throughout the process, referring professionals can expect clear communication, realistic timescales and a single point of contact for queries. Our aim is to balance responsiveness with thoroughness, so that transitions are well planned, person‑centred and as calm as circumstances allow.
Regulatory status
Karuna Care London is currently progressing through registration with the Care Quality Commission and is not yet open to residents. The placement process described on this page reflects our intended approach and will be implemented once CQC registration and all necessary approvals have been granted.